There is Something in a NAME

Today, June 3, 2015, five years ago; I made a decision that shaped my life in a way I felt empowered and free.

There is something in a name…….

See, I was born Sunshine Delila, in 1975; Sunshine was actually the number one name back then! Sunshine is my real given name.

Most of you know by now where I came from and how I got to the life I have today. Here is something not many know about me.

In the midst of healing of my broken heart around 2012, I was praying and I heard in my spirit, “I am consecrating you as Esther.” There is a time of consecrating, isolation, preparation, then manifestation. So, I went to the book of Esther and read the whole book in the Bible. It is a short book but powerful.

My first thought was, ‘that’s nice.” Here is a Jewish orphan girl whose name was changed to protect her true identity (Hadassah to Esther) and from being killed, she finds favor with the King, he marries her and she saves her people from the evil plan that would have ended her families legacy, their lives, everything…..for a time such as this! She was in the right place at the right time, chosen for this moment to change history!

WOW! I knew there is always meaning in names. I looked up names for my children before their arrived because of the meaning behind it…. I wanted to speak goodness and bring honor to our family and over their lives. Bravery, courage, joy, and Biblical was important to me too. I had always wanted a biblical name, little did I know – Delila was in the Bible.

I grew up without God in my life, so I never thought much of it. I was teased for my name – Sunshine. I was always asked about the weather, or called Stormy when I was angry. BUT Delila brought a fun element of being called “SUNNY D” even if it was an orange drink in the 90’s (laugh). It was cool. AND it was a Bible name (I did not know the story of Delilah).

One day I was educated by a stranger only to the point that ‘maybe I did not want to mention that I had a biblical name because Delilah was not a good person in the Bible.’ I still had no clue.

When this Esther thing happened in 2012, I became curious about the meaning of the name as I searched why I felt God speak this to my heart.

Sunshine means star and light. Delila means impoverished, poor, lack, lovelorn, lovesick, without…….

I proceeded to look up Esther, it means star and light!

What?!?!?

I marched into the office of our local probate court to inquire about this change and the ladies sat me down and needed to know the reason why. The judge was not interested until he knows why and will then have a hearing to grant or reject the request.

The ladies gathered around and I began to explain that I had grown up Sunshine Delila, in poverty, lack, and always striving for love and never having it and that was what Delila means. I continued to share with them what had transpired in my life and I just went through divorce, I was healing, and no longer wanted Delila spoken over my life. I wanted to change my name to Sunshine Esther to complete the transformation that I was feeling inside my heart, mind, body, and soul; we see many examples in the Bible where names change after lives were transformed! It was done so to establish new IDENTITY that God wanted embodied.

Saul became Paul (after he stopped persecuting Christians)

Abram became Abraham (high father, father of many)

Sarai became Sarah (my princess, mother of nations)

Simon became Peter (God has heard, rock)

Jacob became Israel (supplanter, he who has the power of God)

The judge decided I did not have to even have a hearing that they would continue the process of getting this change done for me through a paper hearing and when they were ready, I was to come in and sign and it would be so! FAVOR already?

On June 3^rd, 2015, I officially was granted my new middle name – Sunshine Esther – star and light shining as far as the eye can see. My purpose of light and love solidified within me that I had felt all my life. My brokenness healing, the new creation of my thinking and walking out my purpose was never so clear. Something happened to me that day, redemption.

It was all leading up to 2020, I would launch my website and share my story – Thinking Sunshine……for a time such as this!

I encourage you to look up the meaning of your name and see what you feel inside, what does it say about your purpose? Look at the power in your name? Establish your identity and walk out that purpose deep inside you. Allow it stir your heart, motivate your focus, and walk out your true powerful likeness. However, if your names meaning is something that was the old you, or does not line up, ask God for a new name. He will not disappoint.